Shares in the Netherlands closed the session higher on Tuesday, with broad sector support pushing the benchmark AEX up 0.50% at the Amsterdam close.
Sector movers on the day included gains in Oil & Gas, Basic Materials and Financials, which collectively helped lift the market. Market breadth favored risers: 57 stocks finished higher compared with 40 that fell, while 9 issues were unchanged.
Top and bottom performers
On the AEX, BE Semiconductor Industries NV (AS:BESI) was the session's strongest performer, rising 2.98% or 5.45 points to finish at 188.45. Relx PLC (AS:REL) added 2.01% or 0.60 points, ending the day at 30.48, and CVC Capital Partners PLC (AS:CVC) gained 1.98% or 0.22 points to close at 11.32.
At the other end of the board, Universal Music Group NV (AS:UMG) slipped 4.62% or 0.84 points to 17.23 at the close. Randstad NV (AS:RAND) declined 1.18% or 0.30 points to 25.23, and Heineken (AS:HEIN) lost 0.93% or 0.66 points to finish at 70.36.
Notable price milestones recorded during the session included Universal Music Group shares falling to all-time lows at 17.23, while Randstad shares fell to five-year lows at 25.23.
Volatility and key market indicators
The AEX Volatility index, which measures the implied volatility of AEX options, was unchanged 0.00% to 21.09.
Commodity markets showed strength on the day. Crude oil for May delivery rose 2.62% or 2.42 to $94.88 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery increased 2.41% or 2.42 to $102.63 a barrel. Precious metals showed a small gain with the April Gold Futures contract up 0.17% or 8.56 to trade at 5,010.76 a troy ounce.
Currency and dollar indicators were mixed. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.21% to 1.15, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.00% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.11% at 99.36.
These moves left the Dutch market modestly higher on the day, supported by energy, materials and financial stocks, while select consumer and staffing names underperformed and recorded fresh lows.